Domakihub How to Get Rid of Crickets in Your Home for Good
Stop the chirping and clear your property with these proven steps.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A single cricket chirping behind a kitchen cabinet at midnight can feel unbearable — and in Greece's warm Mediterranean climate, cricket season can stretch from late spring well into autumn. This guide walks you through the most effective DIY and professional methods to clear crickets from homes, holiday rentals, and hotel premises, while the video above demonstrates the key product applications visually so you can follow along with confidence.
Why Crickets Move Indoors in Greece
House crickets (Acheta domesticus) and field crickets are common throughout Greece. They are drawn to warmth, moisture, and artificial light — which means properties near olive groves, gardens, or open land are especially vulnerable in summer and early autumn. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and ground-floor storage rooms are their preferred entry points.
Holiday rentals and hotels face a particular risk because outdoor lighting stays on all night to attract guests, which simultaneously attracts crickets. Gaps under doors, torn window screens, and utility penetrations in walls act as express lanes into the building.
Health and Property Risks
Crickets are not dangerous to humans, but a large infestation is a genuine nuisance. They chew through natural fabrics such as wool, silk, and cotton — a serious problem for furnished rental properties. Their droppings can stain surfaces, and the relentless chirping disturbs sleep and negatively impacts guest reviews.
Catching the problem early, before a few scouts become a full colony, is far easier and cheaper than dealing with an established infestation. The five steps below cover both rapid knock-down and long-term prevention.
How to Get Rid of Crickets: 5 Steps
- 1
Locate entry points and harborage areas
Walk the perimeter of the property at dusk with a torch. Look for crickets congregating near exterior lights, around water meters, under doormats, in woodpiles stacked against the wall, and in dense vegetation touching the building. Inside, check under appliances, along skirting boards, in basements, and inside cupboards. Mark or photograph every gap, crack, and crevice you find — you will treat these in later steps.
- 2
Reduce attractants before you spray
Switch exterior halogen or warm-white bulbs to yellow LED or sodium-vapour lights, which are far less attractive to crickets and other insects. Move any compost bins, woodpiles, and dense ground cover at least one metre away from the building facade. Fix leaking taps and clear blocked gutters, because crickets actively seek out moisture. Reducing these attractants dramatically lowers the re-infestation rate after treatment.
- 3
Apply an insecticide barrier around the exterior
Use a bifenthrin or lambda-cyhalothrin based perimeter spray (widely available at Greek agricultural supply shops). Mix according to the label and apply a 30–60 cm band along the base of all exterior walls, focusing on entry points, window frames, and doorsteps. Reapply after heavy rain or every four to six weeks during the active season. For hotels and rentals, schedule this as a routine service so it never lapses.
- 4
Treat indoor harborage spots with bait or dust
For indoor cricket activity, cricket bait granules (containing hydramethylnon or spinosad) placed along skirting boards and under appliances are highly effective and low-risk around people and pets when used correctly. Diatomaceous earth dusted into wall voids, under fridges, and behind washing machines kills crickets physically by damaging their exoskeleton — it has zero chemical residue and is safe for food-preparation areas. Avoid spraying liquid insecticide in enclosed kitchen spaces unless the product is specifically labelled for indoor use.
- 5
Seal entry points to prevent re-infestation
Once the population is under control, use silicone sealant to close every gap you identified in step one. Install door sweeps on all exterior doors, repair or replace any torn insect screens, and use expanding foam to fill utility penetrations through walls. This mechanical exclusion is the single most cost-effective long-term measure: no cricket that cannot get in can chirp inside your property. Re-inspect entry points annually before the summer season begins.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted pest control pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- Are crickets in Greece harmful to people or pets?
- Field and house crickets found in Greece are not venomous and do not bite humans in normal circumstances. They pose no direct health risk. However, they will chew natural fabrics and their droppings can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Cats and dogs may eat crickets without harm, though ingesting a cricket that has consumed pesticide bait can make a small animal unwell, so keep bait stations out of reach of pets.
- How long does it take to get rid of a cricket infestation?
- With a full treatment — perimeter spray, indoor bait, and exclusion — most infestations are under control within one to two weeks. You may still hear the occasional stray chirp as residual individuals die off. Without sealing entry points, re-infestation from surrounding land is common within a few weeks, so the exclusion step is essential for a lasting result.
- Is professional pest control worth it for a holiday rental?
- For a single small property, a thorough DIY treatment following the steps above is usually sufficient. For multi-unit holiday rental complexes or hotels where a bad review can cost you bookings, a licensed pest control company is worth the investment. They carry commercial-grade products, can issue a treatment certificate for compliance purposes, and will set up a scheduled service contract so the property stays protected across the full tourist season.